NYC judge postpones larceny trial of Astor’s son

MOUNT DESERT, Maine — The grand larceny trial in New York of local estate owner Anthony Marshall has been postponed, according to New York media reports.

Marshall, the only child of late philanthropist and society doyenne Brooke Astor, is facing charges in Manhattan Supreme Court that he stole millions of dollars from his mother after he took control of her financial affairs. Astor, who suffered from dementia late in her life, died in August 2007 at age 105.

Marshall, 84, now owns Cove End, Astor’s former $6 million oceanfront estate in the village of Northeast Harbor, where many wealthy people own seasonal summer homes.

Marshall’s trial was scheduled to begin Monday but was delayed when prosecutors asked the judge presiding over the case for more time to prepare, Newsday and the New York Daily News reported late last week. Justice Kirke Bartley agreed to give the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office until March 2 to get ready to present its case.

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Marshall is facing charges of grand larceny, scheme to defraud, conspiracy and other charges, New York City news organizations have reported.

Astor gave away $200 million in her lifetime, much of it to institutions in New York City such as the New York Public Library, Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Bronx Zoo and others. She also gave money to organizations on Mount Desert Island, including Northeast Harbor Library, Asticou Azalea Garden, Saint Mary’s and Saint Jude’s Parish, and College of the Atlantic.

Marshall faced criminal charges after his son, Philip Marshall, filed suit in New York in 2006 to have his father removed as Astor’s guardian. The grandson alleged that his father was enriching himself and his wife, former local resident Charlene Marshall, while neglecting Astor’s health and well-being.

Anthony Marshall was ordered by a judge later that year to relinquish his role as his mother’s guardian, handing over responsibility for Astor and her estate to longtime Astor friend Annette de la Renta and to the bank JPMorgan Chase.

As part of the agreement, ownership of Cove End reverted to Anthony Marshall, who had given the property first to himself and then to his wife in 2003. The Marshalls also had to return paintings, family silver, jewelry and a 10-carat diamond ring to Astor’s estate.

Charlene Marshall is not facing any charges in connection with the case.